[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 31 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Page 1520]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Expanding the Executive Order on Proliferation of Weapons 
of Mass Destruction

July 28, 1998

    Today, I am expanding existing Executive order authority to enhance 
America's ability to deal with one of the toughest security challenges 
we face: the spread of weapons of mass destruction and missiles to 
deliver such weapons.
    Two weeks ago, the Russian Government announced it was investigating 
a number of Russian entities suspected of violating weapons of mass 
destruction export control provisions.
    Today's Executive order amendment will allow us to respond more 
effectively to evidence that foreign entities around the world, such as 
these Russian entities, have assisted in the transfer of dangerous 
weapons and weapons technologies. The United States will use the amended 
Executive order, along with other existing authorities, to bar 
assistance to seven of the entities identified by Russia, as well as to 
bar exports to and imports from these entities.
    The new Executive order amends Executive Order 12938, issued in 
1994, in key respects:
    --The amended E.O. addresses not only transfers of chemical and 
      biological weapons, as provided in the original E.O., but also 
      nuclear weapons and missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass 
      destruction;
    --The amended E.O. imposes penalties not only where a transfer has 
      been carried out, as provided in the original E.O., but also in 
      the event of an attempt to transfer;
    --The amended E.O. expressly expands the range of potential 
      penalties on entities that have contributed to proliferation. 
      Penalties include prohibition of U.S. Government assistance to the 
      entity and prohibition of imports into the U.S., or U.S. 
      Government procurement of goods, technology, and services.
    The amended E.O. ensures that our Government has the necessary 
flexibility in deciding when and to what extent to impose penalties. In 
the fight to stem the spread of dangerous weaponry, we must be 
resourceful and focus on doing what works. Being able to offer both 
incentives and disincentives enhances our capacity to deal with these 
threats. I will continue to work with Congress to ensure that America's 
policy provides tough penalties--and also sufficient flexibility to give 
us the best chance to achieve positive results.
    My administration is working actively with our friends and allies 
around the world to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction. We are encouraged by recent commitments by Russia, by our 
European allies, and others to increase their efforts, and we will 
continue to press for even stronger commitments.